they’d say the same thing about viktor, too, in his own attempted craft. but he’s come to accept that he was good—- he was just blocked, never reaching his full potential because he’d submitted to a life of simplicity, convinced he’d only ever be ordinary, because that’s what he was made to believe. helen never hesitated to remind him that he’d never be first chair, that he’d never be more than what he is— and, maybe worse, that he didn’t have the passion he assumed he did. it was just all he knew, all he thought he could do. it’s hard not to wonder if there’s a world in which he could still play music, in a way that doesn’t feel like he’s trapped in a time when he doesn’t know who he is or what he wants, but he’s not ready for it. at least, he’s not ready to pick up a violin again.
❝ perfection is overrated, ❞ he says casually, as if that’s something he’s taught himself over the years. they all grew up believing that they had to be perfect at everything, that there would be consequences if there weren’t— but viktor never had the same standards as the rest of his siblings. there was never any goal he could reach that was going to make his father look at him differently, but as a kid, he was desperate to believe it, anyway, even if he’d always amount to nothing. ❝ guess it only matters what you think, ❞ he points out, wishing he could tell him that it doesn’t matter if he’s no good, but he knows firsthand that if he's already made his mind up, then viktor won’t be able to change that. all he can do is offer his own support.
viktor raises a brow, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. ❝ guitar? yeah. i always thought guitar was cool. never really tried it myself, though. ❞ but he always imagined that he might be able to pick it up easily. he was just afraid to try, like he’d never reach the level of violin he needed if he let himself try something new — or that it might feel like giving up, and he couldn’t be perceived that way. ❝ maybe you could try piano instead, then. you don’t have to hold anything, ❞ he says, his attempt at a joke, his smile alluding to the fact he’s only teasing. ❝ — i’m always looking for new, local talent. we had some teenagers in here a couple weeks ago. they were . . . not great, ❞ he admits, letting out a soft chuckle. ❝ but it was pretty cool anyway. they were having fun. that’s all that matters. ❞ because it was important to viktor that if they weren’t getting the support they wanted from their hobbies, then at least he could be that for them, giving them the chance to feel like rockstars, even if they were just performing to a small bar crowd who didn’t really care.
❝ but i get it. offer to bartend still stands. only been a couple years for me, but i like it. it’s a pretty drastic change from what i’m used to, honestly, and— that’s the best part, i think, ❞ he encourages, hoping that if he needs something entirely different too, then he can find comfort in that.